Hamlet Hail to the Thief, a stage production that combines Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet with Radiohead’s 2003 album Hail to the Thief, is set to open at the Barbican Theatre in London this autumn. The show, co-produced by Factory International and the Royal Shakespeare Company, is co-created by Thom Yorke alongside directors Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones. Yorke has reworked material from the album for the production, and the music is performed live on stage by a mixed cast of musicians and actors. The lyrics are used to reinforce themes that align with the play, including grief, despair and paranoia.
The production first premiered at Aviva Studios in Manchester in 2023 and later ran at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Sources report that the London engagement begins on Oct. 31 and continues through Jan. 23, 2027. Variety also notes the production will feature Samuel Blenkin, credited as appearing as part of the cast for the London run. The show is described as having played to sold-out audiences at its previous venues.
